Fusioni & Acquisizioni

📅 Acqua S. Lucia, established in 1895 and set to celebrate its 130th anniversary in 2025, joins ALB Spa, producer of the internationally awarded Acqua Smeraldina. The mineral water brand from Santa Lucia's Fontana Sansa, explored in 1919 and commercialized since 1927, continues its legacy in Bonorva (SS) after ALB Spa's acquisition. The water's effervescence is attributed to the region's carbonic acid-rich mineral springs. 🌊

🏡 Lupaia, a luxury relais with 12 rooms set in the hills of Turrita di Siena, has joined the Autentico Hotels brand as its fifth location in the region. Celebrated at the DUCO Travel Summit 2024, Lupaia garnered the Most Charming Hotel in Italy award and the Michelin Key, highlighting exceptional hospitality. Opened in 2016 by Austrians Heidi and Christopher Mueller, the hotel's rooms feature stone fireplaces, vintage washbasins, and private gardens. Mario Cardone, CEO of Autentico Hospitality, expressed pride in adding Lupaia to their 20-property collection.

🏆 Switzerland focuses on the Italian market with tourism initiatives, including an ice skating rink in Milan and a promotional event at Rinascente in Rome. Italy ranks as Switzerland's fifth-largest market, aiming to promote the winter season, which is vital for tourism. Christina Glaeser, the Director for Italy of Switzerland Tourism, highlights the successful autumn in 2024. The average Swiss visitor from Italy is 45 years old, with one-third traveling with family.

🛩 Russia admits that 34 of its 66 A320 and A321neo aircraft are grounded due to lack of spare parts amid Western sanctions following the start of the war in Ukraine. Moscovite newspaper Kommersant reported the issue, which particularly affects engines, often made by American brand Pratt & Whitney. S7, Russia's main private airline, has grounded 31 of its 39 A320 or A321neo planes, aged between three and seven years.

🚢 Norwegian Cruise Line canceled 38 sailings scheduled between November 2025 and April 2026, including already sold trips to the Caribbean, South America, Antarctica, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East aboard Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Star, and Norwegian Dawn. The company has not provided reasons for the cancellations or alternative trips but will send guests itinerary change information. Additional cancellations affect Norwegian Sun and Norwegian Getaway, citing fleet reorganization.

🍕 Rossopomodoro, founded in 1998 in Naples, opened a new restaurant in Rome's Galleria Alberto Sordi with 110 seats and expanded into the USA with two Denver, Colorado locations, including one in Central Park in June 2024 and another in Arapahoe in October 2024. The brand, which already collaborates with Eataly across 12 North American locations, celebrated additional openings in Italy and Europe in 2024 and plans further expansion in 2025. With over 140 restaurants globally, Rossopomodoro continues to spread authentic Neapolitan pizza and Mediterranean tradition.

📊 Circana's biannual study "FMCG Demand Signals" analyzes purchasing trends in Europe's six largest food markets, revealing a complex recovery with unit sales up 0.3% and the FMCG sector growing by 4.4% to €673 billion in the last year. Private labels now hold a 39.2% market share, equal to €263 billion, a 0.5 percentage point increase from 2023. Despite a challenging recovery, supermarkets and hypermarkets still dominate with a 71% market share, and the outlook for 2025 highlights sustained growth challenges due to high prices, volatility, and uneven demand.

🏡 Mohari Hospitality acquires the iconic Hotel Bauer in Venice, with plans for extensive restoration to enhance its Venetian medieval manierismo architecture from the late 19th century. The investment firm, alongside European strategic partner Omnam Investment Group, expands its luxury hotel portfolio which includes the recent acquisition of a historic property in Paris and the Four Seasons Hotel in Madrid. Key advisors for the acquisition were Kryalos SGR, DLA Piper, Deloitte, Eastdil Secured, CBRE, and Cushman & Wakefield.

🏠 Borgo San Felice Resort, a five-star hotel in Siena under the Allianz Group and Relais & Châteaux, reported a 16% increase in arrivals and stays in 2024 compared to the previous year. The USA remains the top market with 56% of guests, with rising numbers from Brazil, Mexico, Canada, and China. The resort's Ristorante Poggio Rosso, led by Executive Chef Juan Quintero, retains its Michelin Star awarded in 2020 and Michelin Green Star from 2022. Two Michelin Keys were also awarded for hotel excellence. The 2025 season starts on April 10, featuring a Botanic Spa with Codage treatments, exclusive UNESCO site visits, and unique experiences like the Palio di Siena.

🏖️ Italian hotel group R Collection Hotels, led by brand director Ludovica Rocchi, manages ten hotels across destinations like Lago di Como, Annone, Courmayeur, La Thuile, the Ligurian Riviera, and Milan. For 2025, the group plans numerous initiatives including acquisitions and structure updates. The Bianca Relais, a five-star hotel with ten suites, is geared for events and ceremonies. Casa Du Lac expands the group's presence in Varenna alongside Hotel Royal Victoria and Villa Cipressi. In Menaggio, the Grand Hotel Victoria Concept&Spa, awarded 2 Michelin stars in 2024, will reopen in 2025 with renovated suites. The Grand Hotel Courmayeur MontBlanc and Montana Lodge&Spa in La Thuile have joined the Preferred Hotels&Resorts network. On the Ligurian coast, the Grand Hotel Bristol has opened the Marina di Bardi Beach Club and announced the renovation of the Royal Suite.